In 8 anaesthetized swine, we acquired OS images in 3 short axis slices (mid, mid-apical and apical) using an ECG triggered balanced SSFP sequence with standard cine imaging for function acquired in a short-axis stack in a clinical 3T magnet during normoxia (paO2 = 100 mmHg). Arterial pCO2 levels of 30, 40 and 50 mmHg were targeted through ventilation settings. Coronary flow was measured using a surgically implanted perivascular MRI-compatible ultrasound flow probe around the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. Blood gases were analyzed from blood drawn through a catheter in the femoral artery and in the coronary sinus, which were obtained simultaneously with LAD flow measurements and OS images. The images were analyzed in systole and assessed for the global myocardial %-change SI in comparison to the baseline values at paCO2 = 40 mmHg.

OS-SI increased significantly along with LAD flow during hypercapnia (paCO2 = 50 mmHg) in comparison to hypocapnia (paCO2 = 30 mmHg, Figure 1). A decreasing trend was noted in both flow and SI for the hypocapnic levels in comparison to baseline (non-significant). Changes in oxygen extraction, saturation of both the arterial and coronary sinus blood, ejection fraction, heart rate and cardiac output were not different from baseline values.

As oxygen extraction remained consistent during our maneuvers, the changes in OS-SI are explained by the increase in coronary blood flow, thus demonstrating the potential of CO2-induced vasomotor response in combination with oxygenation-sensitive imaging of the myocardium.

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